Jason Pritchard

An inspirational woman from Banbury and one of Spiceball Leisure Centre’s oldest members celebrated her 88th birthday today (Tuesday).

Ivy Pollard suffers from osteoarthritis but doesn’t let this get in the way of her social life as she goes swimming at the leisure centre at least two to three times a week.

Friends of Mrs Pollard helped celebrate her special day and also baked her a cake.

Jan Parker, who lives in Banbury and is one of Mrs Pollard’s friends, said: “She absolutely loved it and was over the moon with how everything went. She kept saying thank you to us all.

“She was a Barnardo’s Child because her mother had left the family so she was taken to a pub in Byfield aged just six months and was taken around the village and residents were asked if they wanted a child. By her admission she was taken in by a lovely family.

“Ivy is an inspirational woman. When you talk to her she always puts a positive spin on things and is never negative. Someone like her deserves her spot in the limelight, it is such a privilege to know her.”